OK … I’ll say it … Monkey Shoulder doesn’t monkey around, so if you like Highland malts, this Speyside Trifecta is for you.

Monkey Shoulder has nothing to do with actual monkeys … which might be a little disappointing, right? I mean, how cool would a Scotch-drinking monkey be? “Angus! Your monkey got in me liquor cabinet again, the cheeky bastard!” Anyway, the term “monkey shoulder” refers to the stooped shoulders of the men who used to turn the malt by hand with large shovels. The Whiskey name tips a hat to those old, hearty blokes.

Monkey Shoulder is owned by William Grant and Sons… and it seems that they own a little piece of everything in the Highlands. Monkey Shoulder is a stand-alone product, which brings us to the special magic of the whiskey itself.

It’s no secret that large spirit companies segment their products. They run their individual distilleries and package the premium single malts as independent brands. All of the “non-premium” product is shuffled off to blending houses for entry-level use. Hey, it’s all good, we get it. But what happens when you have some of your best, most highly-prized single malts producing a lot of the really good stuff … stuff too good for the bottom shelf and discount bins?

Monkey Shoulder is officially a “Triple Malt.” This means that it is NOT a random amalgamation of whatever is on hand. This is a special blend of the premium Whiskies from ONLY Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and the Kininvie distilleries. It other words, it is a blend of three winners … a Speyside Trifecta of consistent Highland awesomeness. WAY too good to think of as a anything less than the premium quality product that it most certainly is.

I liked the flavors they were working with but still not as smooth as I would like at this point in my scotch journey.

Tom,
Dec 31, 2018

It was average to good with sweet tones of caramel.

Robert,
Dec 31, 2018

One of my favorite Scotches. Super Smooth, hint of Caramel, a little oaky flavor.... I think Im going to go have some right now.

Joseph,
Dec 31, 2018

Had an amazing aroma. The drink itself was stiff but smooth. Makes a good whiskey sour too.

guest,
Dec 31, 2018

Peachy plum smell, sourly aftertaste

Jason,
Dec 28, 2018

Monkey Shoulder is a great beginners scotch, and for a reasonable price.

Tim,
Dec 27, 2018

For the price, one of the best whiskeys on the market. This is a great intro to someone new to scotch or new to blends

Marc,
Dec 27, 2018

Very nice. Smooth. It was pitched to me as a much less expensive alternative to Walker Blue, which is a far cry, but still a very good blend. I’ve only tried it neat.

guest,
Dec 26, 2018

First scotch I tried and never looked back from there. I make sure I always have a bottle of Monkey Shoulder at home.

John,
Dec 21, 2018

A nice blend with a slight bite. Definitely a nice sipping whiskey if you’re starting to venture out from the mass produced ones people think are good. This whiskey made my transition into exploring different whiskeys and appreciating distinct flavors. Forever abandoned the mixer whiskeys, Jack Daniel’s, Wild Turkey and Jameson, from there on.

James,
Dec 10, 2018

Great friendly and approachable scotch. Definitely one I reach for to introduce a friend to whiskey.

Derek,
Dec 7, 2018

Very nice, especially for the price!

Daniel,
Dec 5, 2018

Could taste some vanilla and a hit of smoke but not much more than that. Easy to drink. Overall not bad for the price

Eric,
Nov 28, 2018

Solid economical Scotch.

guest,
Nov 27, 2018

Budget but still not bad at all

Dave,
Nov 14, 2018

OK for a budget whiskey to keep around for guests

Jasson,
Nov 10, 2018

Here in the states, it retails for around $35 - and there are plenty of bottles that cost $70 that aren't as tasty as Monkey Shoulder. Discovered it a few years ago, and it's been my go-to blended. Well worth a try if you haven't had it.

guest,
Nov 2, 2018

A little grainy

Michael,
Oct 28, 2018

I may have just found my new favorite blend. This is incredibly smooth and an affordable representative of good Speyside malts. I keep going back for more. This will have a permanent place on my shelf.

guest,
Oct 20, 2018

Meh

Nicolas,
Oct 19, 2018

Nice whisky and good value for money, at least in Spain. Pretty smooth and great to make other people discover whiskys.

Chase,
Oct 17, 2018

A very nice go to for a day to day scotch or trying out a budget friendly blend. Nothing very complex about this one. It's a bit lighter flavored with light smoky hints. Nice to try and very budget friendly.

guest,
Oct 7, 2018

But again!

Jim,
Oct 5, 2018

The old saying " Good scotch is not cheap and cheap scotch is not good"
Definitely applies here. Might be good for mixing but definitely not something I prefer to drink neat

guest,
Oct 4, 2018

This is the first bottle of Scotch Whisky that I purchased. So good.

Jeff,
Sep 27, 2018

Smooth and sweet! Lots of Malt, honey, and orange marmalade. A super easy drinking scotch and the perfect starter bottle.

Devin,
Sep 19, 2018

Loved it so much that I couldn’t stop drinking it and it was a great time

Richard,
Sep 18, 2018

Very much and everyday or any day scotch. Smooth with a nice finish

Ryan,
Sep 6, 2018

First Scotch I’ve seriously tried. It was surprisingly light. Don’t remember much else cause I had it a long time ago.

Thomas,
Sep 6, 2018

A rare blend malt. The only other I've ever seen would be Johnnie Walker Green and this scotch is definitely on par with that powerhouse of the scotch world.

Matthew,
Sep 5, 2018

I agree with Jeremy. I was not impressed with this Scotch. Love the name, but found the taste and bite not to my liking.

Jeremy,
Sep 5, 2018

It’s advertised as a mixing whisky. It’s not one I would drink by itself and is very dissatisfying.

Robert,
Aug 23, 2018

This is one my Favorites. Great oak barrel flavor at the end. Not too harsh but enough. This one will stay in my collection for sure.

Michael,
Aug 16, 2018

Got turned on to this wiskey by watching wiskey vault. I seem to have a similar problem as then when it comes to this wiskey..... It disappears too fast.

Scott,
Aug 14, 2018

Not bad for a cheap bottle, but relatively uninteresting and had too much bite in the finish

Nejc,
Aug 11, 2018

Good starting taste but at the end goes little flat. good choice for cocktails

James,
Aug 11, 2018

Now I see what's possible when you blend 3 different Scotches of my particular liking.

Brian,
Aug 9, 2018

Can't get into this. Another popular one I can't pick flavors on. Spicey, water makes worse. Not very complex.

DAVID,
Aug 7, 2018

Not a bad whisky at all. Smooth, Smooth Short notes, maybe a hint of vanilla, banana, caramel. Great for mixer, on the rocks. Went well with a Cigar.

Duane,
Jul 26, 2018

Not a bad find.

guest,
Jul 24, 2018

Just love that banana

Marcus,
Jul 19, 2018

Great go-to for a good price!

Rashid,
Jul 15, 2018

Father in law let me try this at his carribean party and I fell in love! It is my go to drink. I sip it with my cigars. I gave a bottle to my son upon his graduation from college. Turns out to be his favorite! I guess good taste runs in the family!!

guest,
Jun 29, 2018

Неплохо. Легко и непринужденно.

Tyler,
Jun 29, 2018

Traditionally I prefer Lagavulin, but as a smooth substitute this is nice. Cheers to all!

Angelina,
Jun 26, 2018

Monkey shoulder one of my go to. My home bar will never be with out it! the flavors and notes you can get from Monkey shoulder is endless and different every time, Orange, lime, bananas, cinnamon

Brian,
Jun 21, 2018

One of go-tos

billy,
Jun 15, 2018

Very nice smokiness to this lower end scotch. It is a good one to start into scotch on.

Jodi,
Jun 15, 2018

Surprisingly good. Smooth and satisfying. A good inexpensive blended that’s easy to love.

Max,
Jun 9, 2018

Vanilla and caramel notes. Mild and non offensive

Mikel,
May 31, 2018

Not impressive but you get what you pay for. This isn't to say it's bad but it's not scotch I would drink neat, this is something i would make a cocktail with.

Brian,
May 27, 2018

Well balanced scotch. Nothing to brag about, but not bad to sip.

Sean,
May 16, 2018

Nice smooth taste. Mild finish.

Karen,
May 8, 2018

OK but nothing at all special. I would not introduce with it because it is so unexciting I do not believe it would lure anyone into the world of scotch further. OTOH, if you want to make some cocktails this would be perfectly acceptable and is indeed why I keep it around. Not offensive, nothing exciting and no particular flavor profile beyond that.

Honestly this is one of the nicest blended whiskys I’ve come across. I have it over ice. Wonderful nose, I tasted banana at first with a little bit of spice like clove. Afterwards you get a bit of woody sweetness that does not linger and leaves you wanting more

A nice blend. It has some heat up front but it doesn't last. I REALLY enjoyed the nose. Very pleasant.

Jason,
May 30, 2017

Very smooth and vanilla.

Vic,
May 30, 2017

Let me first start by saying I am generally not a Scotch drinker--that said, I will tell you this is THE first Scotch I enjoyed when being exposed to a variety of types. I have hidden away what looks like one serving . . . one I will not be sharing. I also love the character of the bottle and the three monkeys?

Aaron,
May 20, 2017

Fantastic daily sipper.

Andrew,
May 19, 2017

Excellent for the price.

Enoch,
Apr 9, 2017

A little raw, but powerful. A good starter.

guest,
Mar 25, 2017

Für'n Blend vorzüglich!!!

Jason,
Feb 4, 2017

I simply love this Scotch. It is most-certainly in my top 5, for sure. It's description is accurate. Enjoy the ride. I'm sure you''l wish you purchased two bottles.

richard,
Feb 1, 2017

real nice

Anthony,
Jan 28, 2017

Smooth, strong, beautiful

guest,
Jan 27, 2017

Average

Ken,
Jan 23, 2017

I was pleased with the smoothness of this whisky. For the price I think this is one of the better blends I have tried. I would suggest it to most to try out.

Mary,
Jan 18, 2017

I have kept this one around for years as my mixing scotch. I can drink it neat, but I'm more likely to pull this bottle out if I'm adding something else to the glass.

cullen,
Jan 16, 2017

Very smooth and enjoyable. Is now one of my favorites

guest,
Jan 14, 2017

Excellent

Hartmut,
Jan 10, 2017

This is the first blended scotch whisky I ever tried, and I liked it a lot. Great taste and very smooth. Definitely going to buy some more.

Barry,
Jan 9, 2017

Spicy front, smooth finish. Well balanced blend and a great value

Andy,
Dec 29, 2016

Love this...very smooth and easy to drink. Enjoying every dram out of the bottle.

guest,
Dec 28, 2016

Beautiful smell, and a great taste

Darryl,
Dec 25, 2016

Very nice balance from a scotch in this range. I'm really a bourbon drinker and could have this in my cabinet.

guest,
Dec 25, 2016

For a scotch at this price point, this is a job well done

Todd,
Dec 22, 2016

Love it.. price and taste are very hard to beat.. you can pay a lot more and still get a lot less!

guest,
Dec 11, 2016

Best blend I've had. Actually bought it for the bottle. Glad the bottle is empty. They'll make more.